Fender.



J. P. EISBNHOWER.

FENDER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25, 1914.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Qwuwwtoz THE NORRIS PETERS (I04. PHOTO LITHOq WASHiNGToN. '2. C

I. F. EISENHOWER. FENDER. APPLICATION FILED r1112. 25, 1914.

1, 1 1 7,988. Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTO-LITHU., WASHINGTON. D. c,

UNITED STATES OFFICE.

JACOB F. EISENHOWER, OF CHESTNUT RIDGE, NEW JERSEY.

FENDER.

Application filed February 25, 1914.

- To all whom it may concern f of the character stated with a normally elevated member which moves downwardly when the device strikes a person or object, and compels a flexible curtain to assume a taut position and act as a bumper to engage the person or object and prevent the wheels passing over the person or object.

A further object is to provide an improved fender of the character stated which may be connected to any ordinary automobile, and which will be neat and attractive in appearance, strong, and durable in use.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a view in front elevation illustrating my improved fender connected to an automobile. Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal section through the center of the fender, with a portion of the fender shown broken away, said section being taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view in elevation illustrating a detail of construction. Fig. 1 is a broken plan view of the working parts of the fender. with the flexible covering removed. and Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in set position.

1 representsa stationary frame which is secured to the axle 2 of the vehicle in any approved manner so. as to form a rigid connection therewith. I have illustrated the said frame 1 as secured to a bar 3, and the latter connected by U -'bolts 4 to the axle, but the invention is of course not limited in this particular.

Specification of Letters Patent.-

Patented Nov. '24., 1914..

Serial No. 820,825.

The parallel side bars 5, 5, of the frame 1 project forwardly the desired distance, and at their forward ends are provided with inwardly projecting fingers 6. i

The frame 1- is provided centrally with a forwardly projecting arm 7 strengthened by diagonal braces 8, and at its forward end having a rounded enlargement 9,the latter being provided at its rear edge with a flat shoulder 10 adapted to be engaged by the fiat shoulder 11 on a pivoted catch 12. The catch 12 is fulcrumed between its'ends'on a pin 13 connected to a forwardly project ing pivoted arm 14:.

The arm l is cast hollow, or in other Words, is bifurcated throughout the greater portion of its length and at its rear end straddles the circular enlargement 9 on the fixed arm 7, and is pivotally connected by a pin 15 to said fixed arm.

A transversely positioned horizontal angle bar 16 has fixed to its ends brackets 17, each bracket having a trunnion 18 which turns in an opening 19 in one of'the side bars of the frame 1. Each bracket 17 is also provided with an upwardly projecting crank arm 20, and these'crank arms 20 are engaged by the inner ends of side bars 21 constituting a portion of my improved tripping frame.

The bars 21 are supported on the in wardly projecting fingers 6, and have angle brackets 22 secured thereto which extend under the bars 5, so that while these bars are free to slide longitudinally, they are prevented from having pivotal movement.

The bars 21, at their forward ends, are connected to a bumper bar 23, which is of a length greater than the width of the vehicle,

and has a longitudinal recess 24: in its lower inafter refer to as a support 27 1 The support 27 has a rod 28 at its rear end which is located in suitable brackets 29 fixed to some part of the vehicle frame, so

that it may be readilyplaced in position or removed when desired. The flexible CH1- tain 26 is of sulficient length to extend downwardly from the bar 23 to a point just removed above the surface of the pavement, and at its lower edge the curtain 26 is provided with a rod 30. The rod 30, at a point intermediate its ends, extendsthrough an.

eye 31 at the forward end of the pivoted arm-1e, and the ends of the rod are connected to a frame 32. This frame consists preferably of a single rod of general U- shape with the intermediate portion thereof projecting through the intermediate por tion of the pivoted arm 14 as shown clearly at in Figs. 2 and 5.

The connection between the bumper bar 23 and the bars 21 is strengthened by lateral braces 31-, and a wire netting 35 is preferably secured over the front portion of the movable frame as indicated in Figs. 2, a, and 5, so that if an excessive weight falls upon the support 27, this netting will protect from injury, as it will prevent the sup port from being pressed down into contact with any of the sharp edges of the metal structure beneath the netting.

Fig. 5 illustrates the normal position of the parts, in which it will be observed that a coiled spring 36 exerts upward pressure on the catch 12 to hold the shoulders 11 and 10 together, andwhen in this position,-.the angle bar 16 will have one of its flanges lo cated under a rearwardly projecting lug 37 on the catch 12.

A finger 38 secured on the bar 16 normally projects over the lug 37 to prevent any possibility of the catch becoming released by the vibration of the vehicle. It will also be noted that the curtain 26, when the parts are in their set position, is looped, and when the arm 14 with the frame 32 is permitted to fall, the sheet of flexible material 25 will be held taut and sufliciently rigid to prevent any person or object passing under the wheels of the vehicle.

I have illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, an automobile 39having wheels 1O which are protected by my improved fender, and I would have it understood that the fender is adapted foruse on any type of automobile.

The operation is as follows: When the bar 23 strikes a person or object, the bar 23 with bars 21 are caused to move rearwardly, and through the medium of the crank arms 20, will compel the angle bar 16 to partially revolve, thereby lifting the finger 38 to release the catch 12 from locked engagement with the enlargement 9, and allow the arm 14: and frame 32 with the rod 30 to fall and draw the curtain-26 to a taut position as indicated clearly in Fig. 2.

As the bumper bar 23 is relatively low, it is probable that if the bar should strike a person while in a standing attitude, that such person would fall upon the support 27. If the person is on the ground, the curtain 26 will prevent any possibility of the wheels coming in contact with such person.

To reset the fender, it is simply necessary to elevate the rod 30. This causes the arm 14 to swing on its pivot and the finger 33 will engage the angle bar 16, causing the latter to revolve and return the bars 21 and bumper bar 23 to their former set position, as indicated clearly in Fig. 5.

While in Figs. 2 and 3, I have illustrated the support 27 and curtain 26 as of a single piece of material, in which case it would be necessary to provide openings therein through which the several metal bars and rods project, it is of course to be understood that the construction may be varied and any suitable material for the purpose may be used.

As a convenient means for elevating the fender, I provide a chain or other flexible device 41 which extends through the support 27, and is connected by a pin 12 to the mov able arm 14. The upper end of this chain 41 above the support 27 is provided with a ring 43, which may be conveniently grasped and. pulled upwardly to move the fender to its set position, the ring being larger than the opening in the support, prevents its downward movement therethrough.

Various slight changes might be made in the general form and arrangement of parts described without departing from my invention, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A fender comprising a fixed frame, a fixed arm secured to the frame, a pivoted arm connected to the fixed arm, a catch on the pivoted arm engaging the fixed arm, a. movable frame, a member on the movable frame engaging under the catch and adapted when moved in one direction to release the catch from engagement with the fixed arm, a. bumper bar on said movable frame, and a curtain moved downwardly by the pivoted arm whensaid catch is released, substantially as described.

2. A fender comprising a fixed frame, a fixed arm secured to the frame, a pivoted arm connected to the fixed arm, a catch on M outer end of said frameand in the outer end of said pivoted arm, and a curtain connected at one end to the bumper bar and at the other end with said last-mentioned rod, substantially as described.

3. A fender comprising a stationary frame, a fixed arm located centrally in the stationary frame, a pivoted arm connected to-the fixed arm and having a catch normally locking the pivoted arm against movement, an angle bar having rotary mounting in the fixed frame, upwardly projecting crank arms on said bar, a movable frame connected at its rear end to said crank arms, and adapted when moved rearwardly to cause the rotation of said angle bar and release the catch permitting the pivoted arm to fall, a bumper bar carried by the forward end of said movable frame, and a curtain connected to the bumper bar and moved downwardly to taut position when said pivoted arm is permitted to fall, substantially as described. 7

at. A fender comprising a stationary frame, a fixed arm located centrally in the stationary frame, a pivoted arm connected to the fixed arm and having a catch normally locking the pivoted arm against movement, an angle bar having rotary mounting in the fixed frame, upwardly projecting crank arms on said bar, a movable frame connected at its rear end to said crank arms, and adapted when moved rearwardly to cause the rotation of said angle bar and release the catch permitting the pivoted arm to fall, a bumper bar carried by the forward end of said movable frame, a curtain connected at its upper end to the bumper bar and at its other end to the pivoted arm, and a flexible support connected to the bumper bar and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, said support having means at its rear end for attachment to a vehicle, substantially as described.

55. A fender comprising a stationary frame, a fixed arm located centrally in the stationary frame, a pivoted arm connected to the fixed arm and having a catch normally locking the pivoted arm against movement, an angle bar having rotary mounting in the fixed frame, upwardly projecting crank arms on said bar, a movable frame connected at its rear end to said crank arms, and adapted when moved rearwardly to cause the rotation of said angle bar and release the catch permitting the pivoted arm to fall, a bumper bar carried by the forward end of said movable frame, a curtain connected'at its upper end to the bumper bar and at its other end to the pivoted arm, a flexible support connected to the bumper bar and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, said support having means at its rear end for attachment to a vehicle, and a wire netting secured over the movable frame below said flexible support and above the pivoted arm, substantially as described. I

6. A fender comprising a fixed frame having forwardly projecting bars at its side with inwardly projecting fingers at the forward ends of said bars, a fixed arm located centrally on the frame, a pivoted arm connected to the fixed arm, a spring-pressed catch on the pivoted arm engaging a portion of the fixed arm to hold the pivoted arm in normal elevated position, an angle bar having rotary mounting in the fixed frame, a lug on the catch under which the angle bar is positioned and adapted when said angle bar is turned to move the catch to unlocked position, a finger on the angle bar normally positioned over the lug, a frame supported on the inwardly projecting fingers of the side bars of the fixed frame and having brackets thereon projected under said side bars, the rear end of the movable frame being connected to the angle bar, a bumper bar on the front end of the movable frame, a curtain connected to the bumper, and a rod connected to the forward end of the pivoted arm and secured to the free end of the curtain, substantially as described.

7 A fender comprising a fixed frame, a j

pivoted arm connected to the fixed frame, a catch normally holding the pivoted arm in elevated position, a movable frame carrying a bumper bar, a member on the movable frame engaging under the catch and adapted when the bumper bar is moved rearwardly to cause the release of the pivoted arm, a frame connected to the pivoted arm, said frame and said pivoted arm at their ends supporting a transverse rod, and a curtain connecting the bumper with said transverse rod, substantially as described.

8. A fender comprising a stationary frame, a fixed arm located centrally in the stationary frame, a pivoted arm connected to the fixed arm and having a catch normally locking the pivoted arm against movement, an angle bar having rotary mounting in the fixed frame, upwardly projecting crank arms on said bar, a movable frame connected at its rear end to said crank arms, and adapted when moved rearwardly to cause the rotation of said angle bar and release the catch permitting the pivoted arm to fall, a bumper bar carried by the forward end of said movable frame, a curtain connected at its upper end to the bumper bar and at its other end to the pivoted arm, a flexible support connected to the bumper bar and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, said support having means at its rear end for attachment to a vehicle, a flexible device extending through said support In testimony whereof I have signed my and connected to the pivoted arm, and a name to this specification in the presence of 10 gand k015i on Ctlhe upper end at said flexible two subscribing Witnesses.

evice a apte to be grippe to draw the x arm and fender to an elevated position and JACOB EISENHOWER prevent the passage of the flexible device \Vitnesses: through the support, substantially as de- M. E. DITTUS, scribed. CHAS. E. Po'r'rs.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner oi. Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

